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Childcare vouchers

Information for employees receiving childcare vouchers

What are childcare vouchers?

The council participates in a childcare voucher scheme with the provider Edenred. This scheme allows childcare vouchers to be paid from the employee's salary, before tax and national insurance deductions. The scheme was closed to new entrants on 4 October 2018 but parents already registered by this date can continue using it for as long as their employer offers it or until they leave the scheme. The vouchers can be used for a variety of different childcare options, such as nurseries and pre-schools, breakfast and after school clubs, holiday play schemes and others. For more information go to www.childcarevouchers.co.uk

Who is eligible for childcare vouchers?

In October 2018 the government stopped all new applications for childcare vouchers. Therefore, only employees who were already signed up to the scheme before October 2018 are eligible to receive them. No new applications can be made.

If I leave the scheme can i rejoin?

If you choose to leave the childcare voucher scheme and stop having deductions from you salary then you will not be able to rejoin. You do have the flexibility to change your voucher amount to fit with the needs of your family and childcare arrangements, you can do this by logging into your Edenred account.

What other options do I have?

Tax-Free Childcare is the scheme that has replaced the childcare voucher scheme. For more information, details on eligibility and how to apply visit www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

Other frequently asked questions

When are vouchers paid?

You will receive vouchers into your online Edenred account on pay day.

You can set up a standing order to your childcare provider or make one- off payments. Please note that payments to your childcare provider will take three working days.

Can I be refunded for unused vouchers?

Do childcare vouchers expire?

No, there is no expiry date. You can continue to use vouchers until your child is 15 (or 16 for children with a disability). Remember that vouchers can be used for before/after school clubs and some holiday play schemes.